John Samuel has been appointed to serve as a member of the Public Service Commission for a period of two years.

His Excellency the Governor John S. Duncan, OBE acting in accordance with the advice of the Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie, made the appointment in accordance with section 91(1)(c) of the Constitution.  The appointment took effect on March 27, 2017.

The other members of the commission are Ms. Dawn Smith, Mrs. Keturah Crabbe and Mrs. Eunice Crawford.  Mrs. Magdaline Rymer serves as the chairperson of the Public Service Commission. 

Mr. Samuel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the post having served in both the public and private sectors at various levels.

Mr. Samuel was the Director of Shipping for the Virgin Islands Shipping Registry from 2012 to 2015.  He held the post of Permanent Secretary (Acting) in the Ministry of Communications and Work from 2007 to 2009 and served as Deputy Permanent Secretary in the same Ministry from 2004 to 2007.  He worked for the BVI Ports Authority as a Marine Officer and then as Marine Supervisor from 1991 to 1999.  He served as the Director of BVI Maritime Administration for the Government of the Virgin Islands from 1999 to 2004.

Mr. Samuel taught Advance Navigation at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and served as a Trainee Pilot for both Tortola Pilots Courier Co. Ltd and the Castries Pilots St. Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority before advancing to Senior Pilot at Tortola Pilots.

Mr. Samuel is a certified International Safety Management Auditor, maritime security officer, and authorised surveyor for small commercial craft by the United Kingdom Maritime & Coast Guard Agency and ABS Consulting.  He is a certified Marine Inspector by the United States Coast Guard Marine Safety School and received an unrestricted pilot’s licence from the British Virgin Islands Ports Authority.

The Public Service Commission has the power to make appointments to public offices and to remove and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices in consultation with His Excellency the Governor.

Photographs Attached

His Excellency the Governor administers the Oath of Confidentiality to Mr. John Samuel upon his swearing in as a member of the Public Service Commission.  (Photo Credit:  Office of the Governor)